[SuperJon]

That's not why he's leaving though. It would've been BJ and Curry out there both playing a combo guard position at the beginning of the season.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

If it had something to do with the rules dont you think he would have left before?


But hey, Whatever to take the focus off something that a coach might have done to keep him from wanting to be here, or anyone else for that matter....

The rules have not changed...I am betting the enforcing of the rules has changed

Bottom line, BJ wasn't going to see much PT with the new golden boy in the fold. The story all year long is gonna be "Curry, Curry, Curry" -- not BJ.

Riiiiight BJ's 10 ppg are nothing compared to Curry's.... ummm... 0 ppg?

Dont get me wrong Curry (I hope) will be great, but BJ gets the start at the 2 and Curry at the 1. Its gonna be that same offense so BJ is good for his points and rebounds.

[Schfourteenteen]

Very true were definitely gonna miss BJ's game next year.

[Cider Jim]

Sorry, Super, I don't mean to oversimplify this, but you did reference hair, a former coach, and now a former player in an April 16 post:

He told BJ he wouldn't have to cut his hair

[SuperJon]

And I said he because certain letters or names draw out people and arguments I don't want to get in.

[TylerBakersGonnaBGreat]

and he wouldnt have if he REALLY wanted to keep it, it just wasnt THAT important to him.

[hurricane fan]

and he wouldnt have if he REALLY wanted to keep it, it just wasnt THAT important to him.

so i guess that it was it took a mountain of reps over a 4 month period of time before he cut it.

[checkmate]

BJ finished the season so strong in the last three games:
vs Radford 18 pts, 4 asts, 5 reb, 5 steals
vs VMI 18 pts, 6 asts, 6 reb
vs UNCA 8 pts, 7 asts, 5 reb

Seems deflecting the issues at hand to the former staff, or a press release void of any quotes directly from BJ is like Obama framing Clintons comments on Iran.

BJ was inconsistent at times but had many games where he was special as only a sophomore. He will be missed.

But who needs talents like Alex. Tj, Brew or BJ.....everything is headed for us to dominate the BSC according to the bloggers and we know that 2,1,2, and 3 is unexceptable so our expectations should be a championship run.

[thesportscritic]

[LUconn]

BJ finished the season so strong in the last three games:
vs Radford 18 pts, 4 asts, 5 reb, 5 steals
vs VMI 18 pts, 6 asts, 6 reb
vs UNCA 8 pts, 7 asts, 5 reb

Seems deflecting the issues at hand to the former staff, or a press release void of any quotes directly from BJ is like Obama framing Clintons comments on Iran.

BJ was inconsistent at times but had many games where he was special as only a sophomore. He will be missed.

But who needs talents like Alex. Tj, Brew or BJ.....everything is headed for us to dominate the BSC according to the bloggers and we know that 2,1,2,9 and 3 is unexceptable so our expectations should be a championship run.

I'm pretty sure that everybody in this thread has knows that we're gonna take some lumps next year and that losing BJ is going to multiply that. In fact, most have posted that in this very thread.

[SuperJon]

How can you lump Brew in with losing the two graduating players and BJ? He left because we changed coaches, not because of who the new coach was.

[checkmate]

There have been times on FF where there appeared to be a lack of appreciation for the talent of these players. Like the "top 50" recruiting class was superior to the talent the previous staff positioned us with. But as we all have seen some on here will go to any length to cast a positive light on our direction.

And it is always convenient for you and others to play the "it is about more than winning and losing" card. The reality states different. We had really talented players in a position to make a run at another championship. Now some of those short-sighted critics are preparing for a recession and it is not the economy.

But hey we can believe the News and Advance headline that inspite of our 3-6 finish, losing one of our top two returners that the Flames remain "HOT". so our expectations can focus on top three finish?

[Schfourteenteen]

There have been times on FF where there appeared to be a lack of appreciation for the talent of these players. Like the "top 50" recruiting class was superior to the talent the previous staff positioned us with. But as we all have seen some on here will go to any length to cast a positive light on our direction.

And it is always convenient for you and others to play the "it is about more than winning and losing" card. The reality states different. We had really talented players in a position to make a run at another championship. Now some of those short-sighted critics are preparing for a recession and it is not the economy.

But hey we can believe the News and Advance headline that inspite of our 3-6 finish, losing one of our top two returners that the Flames remain "HOT". so our expectations can focus on top three finish?

First, we all know hes going to be missed, and its going to be a rough near next year with so many newcomers. As for the "positive light" there is no positive anything from BJ leaving. We cant fill that scholly, and Im guessing we wont. Even if we do it probably wont be with a BJ caliber player. Fine

But its very arguable, that BJ tranferring has alot to do with the severity in how each coach handled the rules here. Its implied that one coach told BJ that the rules here meant nothing and that he wouldnt have to follow anything. It possible even more provisions were made after BJ kept getting fines, but that a different ball game. Anyway so McKay comes in and values the rules here, or at least supports the idea of accountability here.

In that case, there is not a single chance that anybody who got everything would enjoy that drastic or a change. If I was told I wouldnt have to worry about the rules here and then within 2 years I was getting slapped in the face with pink slips with a coach who cared about them Id be pretty ticked too, maybe so mad that Id leave just to leave and it wouldnt matter where I went as long as I left

\

[olldflame]

BJ finished the season so strong in the last three games:
vs Radford 18 pts, 4 asts, 5 reb, 5 steals
vs VMI 18 pts, 6 asts, 6 reb
vs UNCA 8 pts, 7 asts, 5 reb

Seems deflecting the issues at hand to the former staff, or a press release void of any quotes directly from BJ is like Obama framing Clintons comments on Iran.

BJ was inconsistent at times but had many games where he was special as only a sophomore. He will be missed.

But who needs talents like Alex. Tj, Brew or BJ.....everything is headed for us to dominate the BSC according to the bloggers and we know that 2,1,2,9 and 3 is unexceptable so our expectations should be a championship run.

To say "inconsistent at times" is straight from the department of redundancy department. BJ was inconsistent in his play last year. That means sometimes he was very good, and sometimes he pretty much disappeared. His departure means that freshmen will need to play a larger role from the getgo next year, and that is a bit scary.

You are defeating your own case in citing Alex, Teejay and Brew as examples of the talent we are "losing". Yes they can play. The problem is that the 3 of them combined only played 7 semesters of basketball at LU. That's less that 1 quality freshman recruit will play in a career. Even if we had not changed coaches and Brew had stayed (debatable), that would only be 2 more semesters of eligibility. This kind of quick-fix approach to recruiting was a big part of why we were mired in mediocraty.

We have a talented group of young players next year. Any one of our 6 freshmen (counting Stephene) could end up playing more basketball for LU than all 3 players you mentioned. It is possible we may have some growing pains, but I am 100% convinced that this is the way to go to build sustainable excellence in our program.

[SuperJon]

There have been times on FF where there appeared to be a lack of appreciation for the talent of these players. Like the "top 50" recruiting class was superior to the talent the previous staff positioned us with. But as we all have seen some on here will go to any length to cast a positive light on our direction.

And it is always convenient for you and others to play the "it is about more than winning and losing" card. The reality states different. We had really talented players in a position to make a run at another championship. Now some of those short-sighted critics are preparing for a recession and it is not the economy.

But hey we can believe the News and Advance headline that inspite of our 3-6 finish, losing one of our top two returners that the Flames remain "HOT". so our expectations can focus on top three finish?

You're defeating your own purpose here. The previous staff recruited BJ. It's not McKay's fault that BJ doesn't like Liberty. It really isn't the fault of anyone. That's how college is. You think you may like something, and then you don't, and you transfer. I did it and it worked out great for me. I hope it does for BJ and he finds what he's looking for. The past two years have been fun watching him play and getting to know him a little bit this year. I can only wish him the best. Liberty isn't for everyone, and that's nobody's fault.

[checkmate]

BJ finished the season so strong in the last three games:
vs Radford 18 pts, 4 asts, 5 reb, 5 steals
vs VMI 18 pts, 6 asts, 6 reb
vs UNCA 8 pts, 7 asts, 5 reb

Seems deflecting the issues at hand to the former staff, or a press release void of any quotes directly from BJ is like Obama framing Clintons comments on Iran.

BJ was inconsistent at times but had many games where he was special as only a sophomore. He will be missed.

But who needs talents like Alex. Tj, Brew or BJ.....everything is headed for us to dominate the BSC according to the bloggers and we know that 2,1,2, and 3 is unexceptable so our expectations should be a championship run.

To say "inconsistent at times" is straight from the department of redundancy department. BJ was inconsistent in his play last year. That means sometimes he was very good, and sometimes he pretty much disappeared. His departure means that freshmen will need to play a larger role from the getgo next year, and that is a bit scary.

You are defeating your own case in citing Alex, Teejay and Brew as examples of the talent we are "losing". Yes they can play. The problem is that the 3 of them combined only played 7 semesters of basketball at LU. That's less that 1 quality freshman recruit will play in a career. Even if we had not changed coaches and Brew had stayed (debatable), that would only be 2 more semesters of eligibility. This kind of quick-fix approach to recruiting was a big part of why we were mired in mediocraty.

We have a talented group of young players next year. Any one of our 6 freshmen (counting Stephene) could end up playing more basketball for LU than all 3 players you mentioned. It is possible we may have some growing pains, but I am 100% convinced that this is the way to go to build sustainable excellence in our program.

I hope that collectively the freshmen can put BJ numbers in the stretch run. And many mid/high major programs would take two years of Alex and Brew. Maybe not one of Teejay, but his penetration was as good as has ever been in the Vines Center.
That would be like saying our football team only had one year of Redd and two of Lloyd/Pinnigis.

We will all look forward to your "sustainable excellence".

[paradox]

You guys seem to have the Liberty Way confused with Coach McKay's team rules. There's a world of difference there, and Coach McKay's team rules apply regardless of where he's coaching.



In the final analysis, you'll see that it was all immaterial, because we're getting upgrades.

McKay, as coach, has every right to recruit and commit to his own players. He's clearly going in the direction of youth and he's gonna ultimately build his team around the new guys.

The bottom line for BJ is that he wasn't comfortable with his role as a non-starter. Can't say that I blame him. But let's be honest, he was inconsitant at best with his 9.9 per game as a shooting guard.

The program, on the other hand, will benefit because the new guys need to play. And there can be no question now that they'll play.

[SuperJon]

You guys seem to have the Liberty Way confused with Coach McKay's team rules. There's a world of difference there, and Coach McKay's team rules apply regardless of where he's coaching.



In the final analysis, you'll see that it was all immaterial, because McKay, as coach, has every right to recruit and commit to his own players. He's clearly going in the direction of youth and he's gonna ultimately build his team around the new guys.

The bottom line for BJ is that he wasn't comfortable with his role as a non-starter. Can't say that I blame him. But let's be honest, he was inconsitant at best with his 9.9 per game as a shooting guard.

The program, on the other hand, will benefit because the new guys need to play. And there can be no question now that they'll play.

You obviously know nothing about BJ. That isn't what it was. He didn't like the school. He didn't feel he could be himself here. It happens. You're making the kid out to sound like a quitter when he is anything but that. He hasn't been happy at Liberty for over a year. If he was thinking about transferring even before these new recruits had even verballed, you can't blame it them coming here. He just wasn't happy. How hard is that to understand?

[checkmate]

You guys seem to have the Liberty Way confused with Coach McKay's team rules. There's a world of difference there, and Coach McKay's team rules apply regardless of where he's coaching.



In the final analysis, you'll see that it was all immaterial, because we're getting upgrades.

McKay, as coach, has every right to recruit and commit to his own players. He's clearly going in the direction of youth and he's gonna ultimately build his team around the new guys.

The bottom line for BJ is that he wasn't comfortable with his role as a non-starter. Can't say that I blame him. But let's be honest, he was inconsitant at best with his 9.9 per game as a shooting guard.

The program, on the other hand, will benefit because the new guys need to play. And there can be no question now that they'll play.

Inconsistentency will not be a problem for these freshmen?

[LUconn]

he was definatly penciled in as a starter this year so I doubt that was an issue. He'd have to fight for it his Senior year but I can't imagine him shying away from the competition. All of this other talk about him not wanting to follow the rules or whatever is completely untrue and had really made me question what I believe that gets posted on here.

[paradox]

I never said anyone was a quitter. Where are you getting that from?

All I've said that he's been crowded out by the new guys.

[SuperJon]

All of this other talk about him not wanting to follow the rules or whatever is completely untrue and had really made me question what I believe that gets posted on here.

How can you say it's completely untrue? Have you talked to him? Ever?

BJ leaving is a Liberty thing, not a basketball thing. How hard is that for people to comprehend?

[LUconn]

ahhh, old LUconn finally has a "source". I wonder how long I can hold it over everybody's head. Thanks for jumping all over me though.

[paradox]

he was definatly penciled in as a starter this year so I doubt that was an issue. He'd have to fight for it his Senior year but I can't imagine him shying away from the competition. All of this other talk about him not wanting to follow the rules or whatever is completely untrue and had really made me question what I believe that gets posted on here.

OK, so if he was a starter or even given an opportunity to compete, then why has he left the program with no solid direction or new place to go at the moment?

This should seem unlikely, especially when you factor in the reality that we're adding three highly regarded new guys to our backcourt.

[jcmanson]